Russia hopes that European countries would not allow military intervention in Syria, the Russian envoy to the European Union (EU) said on Thursday.

"I hope the European and other leaders will have enough composure and ability to estimate the situation soberly, not to follow the dangerous path of pumping tension and, moreover, military intervention," Vladimir Chizhov said during a Brussels- Moscow video linkup conference.

The diplomat noted that the EU so far has neither advocated military intervention nor expelled Syrian diplomats from Brussels.

He also stressed that Russia supports intra-Syrian dialogue and will not get involved in the conflict in the Middle East country.
"We defend international right and possibility for the Syrians to decide their country's future in a normal environment, (while) the West influences (the Syrian opposition) not strongly enough," said Chizhov.

The United States and several of its major allies expelled Syrian diplomats on Tuesday in a move to step up pressure on Damascus after last week's mass killings in the Syrian village of Houla. Over 100 people were killed in the attack, which the Western countries blamed on the Syrian military but Damascus insisted was carried out by "armed groups."

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said on Thursday that the EU will continue its sanctions against Syria.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet